Brisbane Roar’s Michael Theo regains his fitness — but a starting spot is harder to come by
FIVE-time title-winning goalkeeper Michael Theo is ready to return to the A-League — but it might have to be via the bench such is the form of Jamie Young.
FIVE-time championship-winning goalkeeper Michael Theo is ready to return to the A-League — but it might have to be via the bench such is the form of Jamie Young.
Theo played a full 90 minutes for Brisbane’s National Youth League team on Sunday as an over-age player, with Roar A-League coach John Aloisi later confirming that the 34-year-old gloveman will be considered for selection for this Sunday’s clash against Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium.
Theo hasn’t played first-team football since injuring his quad in Brisbane’s 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners on October 18.
It was the latest in a host of injuries that has limited the former Norwich City custodian to just six A-League games since the start of the 2014-15 season.
In contrast, Young has started in 35 of the Roar’s past 41 A-League matches, and is currently in excellent form, earning himself man-of-the-match honours with a string of saves in Brisbane’s 2-1 weekend win over Perth Glory.
Such was his performance in the first-placed Roar’s fourth successive win that Aloisi said Young was the best goalkeeper in the competition when it came to “one-on-one” situations.
It would therefore be extremely stiff on Young if he was to be immediately dropped for the fit-again Theo.
“I like it as a coach when I’m in this situation because it’s the kind of selection headaches you want,” Aloisi said.
“I’ll sit down with Michael this week and have a chat with him … it’s never easy to leave a player out when they’ve been playing well.
“But I will pick the team I think is going to win us the football game.”
Theo was among six Roar A-League squad members who played for Brisbane’s youth team in their surprise 1-0 loss to the Glory at the Cleveland Showgrounds.
The others were defenders Luke DeVere and Jerome Polenz, midfielders Javier Hervas and Devante Clut, and attacker Shannon Brady.
Socceroos centre DeVere played for 60 minutes in his ongoing comeback from a serious quad injury, but Aloisi said he would not be considered for first-team selection this Sunday against the Phoenix.
Aloisi will need to make at least two changes to the team that started in the 2-1 win over Perth, with attacking pair Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Borrello away on Olyroos duty.
There will also be a vacant bench spot for a defender due to James Donachie also being part of the Olyroos’ AFC under-23 championship squad.
The most obvious candidate is fullback Corey Brown, whose last A-League appearance was in the Roar’s 3-1 win over Adelaide United on October 31.
Aloisi dismissed speculation linking Brown with a move to Newcastle Jets, saying the left back was a required player at the Roar.
Originally published as Brisbane Roar’s Michael Theo regains his fitness — but a starting spot is harder to come by
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